Shloka 16

An exposition of varṇa-dharma as taught by Yājñavalkya

Devanagari script

अपुत्रा गुबपुज्ञातो देवरः पुत्रकान्यगा / सपिण्डो वा समोत्रो वा घृताभ्यक्त ऋतावियात्

Transliteration

aputrā gubapujñāto devaraḥ putrakānyagā / sapiṇḍo vā samotro vā ghṛtābhyakta ṛtāviyāt

Translation

பெண்ணுக்கு மகன் இல்லாமல் கணவன் அறியப்படாதவன்/இல்லாதவன் எனில், மகப்பேறு பொருட்டு தேவர் (மாமனார் மகன்) அல்லது சபிண்ட/சமகோத்திர உறவினர்—நெய் பூசி—ருது காலத்தில் அவளை அணுகலாம்।

Word by Word

• अपुत्रा: sonless (woman)
• अपुत्रा: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अपुत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; नञ्-समास (without a son)

• गुबपुज्ञातः: (uncertain term; possibly a specified relative/guardian)
• गुबपुज्ञातः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुबपुज्ञात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; पाठ-भेद/दुर्लभ-शब्द (uncertain lexeme)

• देवरः: husband’s younger brother
• देवरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• पुत्रकान्यगा: one who goes to another for sons (niyoga context)
• पुत्रकान्यगा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्रक (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्यगा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः (पुत्रकान् अन्यं गच्छति/गता = one who goes to another for sons; sense: appointed for begetting sons)

• सपिण्डः: a sapinda (close agnatic kinsman)
• सपिण्डः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सपिण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (or)

• समोत्रः: one of the same gotra (clan)
• समोत्रः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: समोत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; पाठ-भेद सम्भव (समगोत्रः इत्यर्थे)

• वा: or
• वा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; विकल्पार्थक (or)

• घृताभ्यक्तः: anointed with ghee
• घृताभ्यक्तः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: घृत (प्रातिपदिक) + अभ्यक्त (कृदन्त; √अञ्ज् ‘to smear/anoint’ + अभि- उपसर्ग, क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थः (घृतेन अभ्यक्तः = anointed with ghee)

• ऋतौ: in the fertile season
• ऋतौ: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋतु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी (7th/Locative), एकवचन

• इयात्: should go/approach
• इयात्: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √या (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: In specified exceptional conditions, niyoga-like begetting of a son through a designated kinsman is permitted, regulated by season and ritual preparation.

Vedantic Theme: Dharma as contextual rule-system balancing individual conduct with lineage/social obligations; ritual purity as support for ordered life.

Application: Recognize that traditional texts sometimes provide exception-procedures for social continuity; in modern terms, prioritize ethical safeguards, consent, and lawful frameworks around reproductive decisions.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: vira

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana dharma passages on progeny, lineage rites, and exceptional procedures (general parallel motifs)

Characters & Entities

• Vishnu
• Garuda
• Sapinda
• Gotra

FAQs

What is the importance of progeny (putra) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse treats a son as essential for lineage continuity and dharmic obligations, permitting a regulated, kin-based method to obtain progeny when the husband is unavailable.

How does this verse relate to Garuda Purana teachings on dharma and ritual conduct?

It frames a sensitive act under strict dharmic constraints—qualified relative (sapinda/same gotra), ritual preparation (ghee anointment), and proper timing (ṛtu)—showing how conduct is regulated by purity and social-religious order.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

As a historical dharma guideline, it highlights the text’s emphasis on regulated conduct, consent, and ritual propriety; modern readers typically apply it as contextual ethics rather than a literal prescription.